South Bend

The South Bend Division serves 11 counties, namely Cass, Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Marshall, Miami, Pulaski, St. Joseph, Starke, and Wabash, which have a combined population of over 875,000 people. The South Bend Division is staffed by Assistant United States Attorneys and support staff.

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi is a sovereign nation that lies to the southeast of South Bend. 

About South Bend and St. Joseph County

South Bend is located in St. Joseph County, which is the largest county in the South Bend Division. St. Joseph County offers a variety of fairs and festivals, historical and interactive museums, and the Potawatomi Zoo. The area also has a number of gardens and parks. The St. Joseph River runs through the county, and on the river in South Bend lies the East Race Waterway, which is North America’s first artificial whitewater course that hosts national and international slalom races. The Morris Performing Arts Center hosts numerous plays, operas, and events throughout the year, including performances by the South Bend Symphony Orchestra.

The top tourist attraction in the region is the University of Notre Dame, founded in 1842 by the Rev. Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C., of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Other higher learning facilities in the area include Saint Mary’s College, Holy Cross College, Bethel University, Indiana University South Bend, Indiana University School of Medicine at South Bend, Ivy Tech Community College, and Goshen College in nearby Elkhart County.

Elkhart County 

Elkhart County borders St. Joseph County to the east and is the second largest county in the South Bend Division. Elkhart County is known as the “RV Capital of the World" and is the location of the RV Hall of Fame and Museum. Elkhart County also annually hosts fairs and festivals such as the Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival, the Elkhart Jazz Festival, and the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, which is the second largest county fair in the United States.

LaPorte County

LaPorte County borders St. Joseph County to the west and is the third largest county in the South Bend Division. The Michigan City and Long Beach areas border Lake Michigan and host a number of fairs and festivals, including areas of interest such as arts and sand sculpting. The region shines in the summer months, with attractions such as the Great Lakes Grand Prix, the Washington Park Zoo, and the Friendship Botanic Gardens.